James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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843. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the network of greenways throughout Ireland; the status of the greenway canal route between Dublin, Sallins and Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22168/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Under the Capital Plan, €100million is allocated to smarter travel and carbon reduction measures, including Greenways, over the lifetime of the Plan.

The Programme for Partnership Government (PfPG) commits to provide additional funding for Greenways and it also commits to developing national guidelines for Greenway public consultation, planning, and construction to help guide local authorities and agencies.

I am very supportive of Greenways and committed to extending the number and length of our Greenway network. My recent announcement of funding for Greenways in Longford, Westmeath, Kildare and Meath testifies to that. 

In addition to the dedicated funding for Greenways administered by my Department, funding is also provided for cycling infrastructure more generally under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and the Regional Cities programme which are administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department. The NTA adopted a Cycle Network Plan for the Greater Dublin Area in 2013 which was prepared in collaboration with the relevant local authorities and this includes a number of Greenways . 

In light of the NTA's responsibility for development of cycling infrastructure in the GDA, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply in relation to the specific greenway project he has referenced. Please advise my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.